Crazy for ConTech with George Smithies, innDex

Welcome to ‘Crazy for ConTech’ with Jon Ballantyne, a Q&A focused on the Construction Technology Industry. 

This Q&A series is an opportunity for one of our ConTech Senior Recruitment Consultants, Jon Ballantyne, to discuss all things construction technology with key players who are championing innovation and digitalisation in the construction space. 

This week we have been in touch with George Smithies, Co-Founder & Civil Engineer at InnDex.

innDex was born out of the frustrations of two friends, both civil engineers. Having experienced a number of fragmented processes, they put their heads together and started mapping out a better vision for the challenges modern construction delivery brings.

What was the mission of innDex when you created it? And what is unique about your business Vs competitors? 

innDex came to life from a real need we saw in the construction world. It was during my time at Bond Street Station on the Crossrail project. Undertaking my induction and losing a whole day filling out forms was not just frustrating; it was a tipping point, an idea. We were literally watching time and money drain away. This experience was just the start. We thought, there’s got to be a smarter way to do this. And that’s how innDex started.

We set out to build something that wasn’t just for the people on the ground or the ones in the boardroom but everyone. Our goal? Make collaboration across the supply chain as seamless as possible.

What makes us stand out is our open approach to integration. We designed innDex to play nice with the systems and tools our clients already rely on, breaking down barriers to efficiency instead of building new ones. Our edge comes from our origins: being part of the industry, feeling its pains, and wanting to do something about it. We’re all about cutting through the red tape, making things simpler, and saving time and money in the process. Starting with a straightforward solution to the induction process, we’ve expanded to offer over 25 tools that all connect within one easy-to-use app and web platform.

Reflecting on the journey from those early days to now, it’s clear we’re on the right track. The industry’s move towards digital is gaining momentum, and we’re excited to be a part of that shift. While we’ve made great strides, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve and adapt. The future’s bright, and innDex is here for the long haul, so watch this space!

What are the challenges/opportunities you see in the UK market in comparison to the European, APAC, North American and LATAM market? 

We have to admit that here in the UK we’re not just playing the game, but we’re ahead, especially when it comes to Health & Safety standards. This gives us a solid foundation to innovate and lead. The challenge? Staying ahead of these high standards and expectations. But, that’s where we thrive, constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved and how we can level up the industry!

We felt like prior to starting that some of the incumbent providers were not stepping up. Our mission has always been to not only strive to be the best but to level up the options available and ensure buyers and users were able to procure something valuable. From day one, our approach has been to focus on building a strong community around our product. The support from our users has been incredible, driving us forward with their enthusiasm and genuine love for what we do.

Looking abroad, every region is at a different stage and offers a different playground/opportunity. Europe and North America are particularly ripe for ConTech right now, APAC is booming with infrastructure projects, and LATAM, although we are not currently active there, we can see holds a wealth of untapped potential. We’re not just aiming to export our technology but to tailor it, making sure we meet each market’s specific needs and challenges head-on. We’re excited to leverage our learnings, adapt our solutions, and embrace the opportunities each region presents.

To what extent do you believe construction is ‘resistant’ or ‘opposed’ to technology? What role do technology start-ups have to play in ensuring tech isn’t seen as a ‘headache’ for the end user? 

I’m so happy to see that over the last couple of years, the idea that construction is resistant to technology is fading. More companies are now embracing digital tools for project management and office work, showing that the tide is turning. However, the challenge remains with the 93% of the workforce on-site, where inefficiencies in communication persist. This is where the opportunity lies for tech startups like us.

Startups have a crucial role in making technology accessible and appealing for the on-site workforce. By focusing on simple, easy-to-integrate solutions like digital inductions and permits, they can demonstrate immediate benefits, such as improved communication and safety, which directly translate to productivity gains and cost savings.

The key to overcoming resistance is showing that technology is not a headache but a facilitator of easier, safer, and more efficient work practices. Startups can lead by example, trials are a good way to allow companies to see the benefits without a massive upfront commitment. This approach helps demystify tech adoption for the industry, showing that change can be straightforward and beneficial for everyone involved.

I discussed this in great depth just before the Easter break here https://youtu.be/2gy5mgGY_HM (shameless plug!)

Growth plans for innDex: 1 year, 3 years, 5 years (i.e: geographies, products, verticals, headcount, funding)

innDex is on a seriously exciting growth trajectory, we are product-first and thrive on organic growth.

Here’s a snapshot of our roadmap:

Continuing to push into new territories, fueled by demand from contractors who’ve heard about our clients’ success and want in. We’ve naturally expanded to 14 countries, each step driven by market pull rather than push. This approach keeps us agile and responsive to real needs. Our focus remains on enhancing our core offerings around H&S and integrating more features that align with sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and social value.

Looking ahead, we plan to deepen our penetration in the current markets while strategically entering new ones, guided by contractor demand and market readiness. Our product development will continue to be driven by the needs of the 90+% workforce on the ground. We expect our team and client base to keep doubling year on year, as they have been, reflecting our solid and scalable growth model.

Thinking 5 years from now, I’d like to think of innDex as a key player in promoting sustainable digital growth in construction technology globally. By staying true to our roots, bootstrapped, profitable, and product-focused, we’re building a future where innDex not only grows in scale but also in impact, driving construction towards a safer, more sustainable future.

Tell us about your approach to talent acquisition and culture? Has it changed over the past few years? If so, how?

At innDex, we’ve always put culture at the forefront of our talent acquisition strategy. We believe in fostering a workplace that not only aims to revolutionise our industry but also empowers our team both inside and outside the office. Over the years, this hasn’t changed; if anything, it’s become more ingrained in how we operate.

Our ethos revolves around a burning desire to improve the construction industry, not just through our products but in the way we engage and empower people. It’s about creating an environment where everyone is excited to contribute to making a real difference. When it comes to bringing new people into the team, we look for that spark, a blend of professional excellence and personal synergy. It’s important to us that a new team member is not only good at what they do but is also someone we all look forward to grabbing a coffee with, smashing out a 5k or even that after work pint!

As we’re continuing to grow, maintaining and nurturing this culture has become a priority. We’ve become more intentional about it, ensuring that as we scale, we don’t lose sight of what makes us, us. The way we communicate, collaborate, and enjoy our time off site has been key to our success. We’ve found that by prioritising these factors, we not only attract but also retain the kind of people who are as passionate about changing the industry as we are.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given to get you to where you are today?

The best piece of advice that’s really stuck with me through everything is this: always back yourself, and never burn any bridges. In the early days, and even now, there’s always that temptation to make quick decisions to push forward. But I’ve learned that those rushed decisions and shortcuts can come back to bite you.

Taking the time to make considered choices and maintaining relationships, even when paths diverge, has been invaluable. This advice has been guiding both my personal journey and the way we shape innDex’s culture and strategy. It’s about moving forward with confidence while treating every person and decision with respect.

In your experience, how highly do you value VC funding and support for a start-up to be successful? 

In our journey, we’ve taken a somewhat different stance on VC funding. It’s not that we don’t see its value, but our experience has shown us that the power of a strong, supportive network (like the C-Tech Club… shameless plug #2!) often outweighs the traditional VC route, especially in the early stages. We’ve built a community that spans from the seasoned, ‘old and wise’ to the ‘young and naive.’ This blend has created a unique safety net that encourages questioning and supports our growth in a way that’s hard to quantify but incredibly valuable.

Achieving true product-market fit is a critical milestone for any startup, and it’s one that requires flexibility, patience, and a deep understanding of your market. Until you reach this point, demonstrating ROI to stakeholders, including VCs, can be challenging. And even when you’ve found that fit, the nature of construction sales cycles, unpredictable as they are, makes forecasting a tough game.

For us, focusing on building and leveraging our network has been instrumental. It’s provided us with insights, feedback, and the kind of support that aligns with our unpredictable journey.